April 26 I Monday

2 Samuel 23-24

Luke 19:1-27

“Abraham fell face down; he laughed and said to himself, ‘Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?”  

—Genesis 17:17

Have we found ourselves laughing at times as we think of the way God brings things to pass? This was Abraham’s response when God revealed to him how God’s covenant would be fulfilled: “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her” (Genesis 17:15-16). Not only did God rename Sarai to Sarah, He also specifically points out to Abraham that His plan this entire time was through the barren one.

       Receiving this news, Abraham fell face down before God, laughing and saying to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” Abraham probably never imagined after the birth of Ishmael that God would seek to fulfill His plans through Sarah. Ishmael was a result of Abraham and Sarah’s effort as they sought to fulfill God’s promise. Abraham then responds to God saying, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” (Genesis 17:17-18).

       It is amazing that God did not rebuke Abraham for his laughter but embraced it, confirming to him again, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac…And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him” (Genesis 17:19-20). God was also merciful and gracious as He took Abraham and Sarah’s mistake of Ishmael and chose to bless him as well.

       The promised child was Isaac, who would come from Sarah, and the period God had them wait for this promise to pass was for their own strength to give out. Not only did Abraham laugh, showing his struggle to understand this reality, but Sarah also laughed when she overheard the Lord saying, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Genesis 18:12 tells us, “Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’” To this, the Lord responded, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:13-14).

       When Sarah gave birth to a son, they called him “Isaac,” which means, “he laughs.” God probably gave the child this name to remind Abraham and Sarah of their laughter at God’s plan, and to prove He is all sufficient, powerful and true to His promise.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, grow my faith in You to know that You are all sufficient, powerful and true to Your promises. Thank You, Lord.